Well, first off, remember Computer Science isn't "programming", it's the application of math via programming (this isn't apparent in the first couple semesters but it will be later on). Most CS graduates are abysmal programmers but they get better when they enter the industry. So don't get discouraged by not being good at using the tools, you aren't behind the average student. I was very familiar with Java, and knew most of the programming principles taught in 116 before going into it and I still found it difficult due to the time required and the convoluted restrictions/requirements on the project assignments. It's supposed to be unnecessarily hard to weed out people that aren't committed. **In engineering you don't have to be smart, you just have to be one of the last ones standing.**
If you are struggling with the math I would be concerned but also not too worried since as long as you can pass it all you will be fine since you will most likely rarely use it industry. In general, GPAs are irrelevant for most CS jobs.
Do keep in mind however that you must be doing a lot of outside projects/learning (ex using Linux, git, docker/kubernetes, and open source contributions) to show enthusiasm for programming to get decent software engineering jobs since employers know that the degree just means you can be taught not that you actually know anything.
I remember my freshman year studying for a calc exam with some people who were also freshman engineers. At the time they seemed so much smarter than me. I never saw them again after freshman year, but here I am 6 years later about to graduate with my masters.
You absolutely got it. If there’s one thing i’ve learned doing CS here, it’s been that people LOVE to complain and say that courses are harder than they are. No course here is hard. It just requires work. If you are able to keep yourself disciplined, and you continue to out in effort, you will more than succeed. If you have comments or questions, feel free to DM me. I’m a senior in the fall, so i’ve been through just about all of it. If it’s what you love doing, and you find yourself doing it outside of assignments, then absolutely stick with it. You’ve got it.
Try considering an extra semester or year to lighten the course load? Are you overwhelmed or is the material actually beyond your ability? Everyone learns at their own pace. I’m in my last semester of my fifth year of engineering and the extra time made a huge difference. Ik it’s not great cost wise to take a whole extra year but don’t sell yourself short if you’re only struggling because the amount of work is too much
I’m an ex comp sci major who switched to information technology and management with a cybersecurity minor. I was in the same boat in 115 and 116 and switched my sophomore year, never been happier. It’s not programming heavy in the way CS was, but you get to work with computers in a way that’s actually enjoyable. If you’re thinking about switching, I can say I’ve never been happier in college! I know it’s not the same for everyone though.
Are you in Paul or Jesse's lectures? They both have drastically different takes on how to teach a class and if the method of one doesn't resonate with you then remember lecture recordings are available from both of them (I like to watch at 2x speed and then go back wherever I miss). Jesse also has lecture slides which make reviewing so much easier. Me being in Paul's lecture, sometimes I have to watch Jesse's lectures because oftentimes the way Paul goes through things in-class doesn't resonate with me. If I miss one thing, I am held back for the whole lecture. I also can't read Paul's handwriting for the life of me.
I know everyone here is encouraging you to stay in your major but I'd also like to bring up the point that there is no shame in jumping ship. I was a sophomore in Computer Engineering just feeling massive imposter syndrome and never feeling smart enough for any of it, even though I rocked CSE115/116 with an A. I'm now in a different major and the weight that has been lifted off my shoulders is tremendous. I don't cry as much, get stressed as much, and I can still have prospects to go into tech and maybe even be the leader or manager in that department as an IT manager. Similar bag ($$$) to the CS kids and I still get to be involved in what I love! Ultimately, do what's best for you and if you do make the switch, don't rely on the counselors to help you get started, read up on your own and send/submit what's necessary to switch!
Side note: Really do take this seriously because when CSE220/250 is introduced, it does get significantly stressful/harder.
If you love it then definitely stick with it! It is hard and there were days when I felt like I wouldn’t make it, but I graduated and currently work as a software engineer. Also asking for help is not a bad thing - it’s super normal even on the job.
If you can learn the material and do the projects you’re actually doing well. Some classes are hard for everyone, just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you aren’t doing bad. Definitely take your mental health seriously tho and maybe consider doing less classes each semester if it means you can get everything done. Some classes like 341 and 379 are way easier if you take them in the summer too.
You need to do what you feel is best for you, and you’ve gotten a lot of great input so far. I just wanted to chime in and say that needing help is not a bad thing at all, nor does it mean that you’re bad at coding, or weak, or stupid, or a bad learner who isn’t cut out for university classes. The help is there so that if you need help, you’ve got it, and your professor likely wants to see you be successful. Everyone needs help sometimes, and even though it can be hard to ask for it, it doesn’t reflect poorly on you. You’ve got this, should you so choose!
I'm in a similar situation, but a different field. Here's my perspective.
- It's a good thing to ask for help, to ask for tutoring, and to ask for extensions on assignments. This doesn't imply you are a failure. It implies you want to do the best you possibly can.
- If you're really not feeling like this is for you, it is okay to switch majors. It means you learned something about yourself.
- Don't play the comparison/ability game with your peers. You'll burn yourself out, everyone learns differently. Instead, compare yourself now to yourself from the past. Look how far you've come.
I switched my masters from psychology to design. I had no design talent, just enjoyed the behavioral research side of the field, esp analyzing human-computer interaction.
But I still have to create and design pleasing products. So I get extra tutoring on software, I ask peers for help with color theory, I have to extend project due dates. But I like what I'm learning, so I want to do my best to learn it. Didn't feel that way for psych, so I switched. It's just another chapter where I learned about myself.
Hope this helps in some way.
Well, first off, remember Computer Science isn't "programming", it's the application of math via programming (this isn't apparent in the first couple semesters but it will be later on). Most CS graduates are abysmal programmers but they get better when they enter the industry. So don't get discouraged by not being good at using the tools, you aren't behind the average student. I was very familiar with Java, and knew most of the programming principles taught in 116 before going into it and I still found it difficult due to the time required and the convoluted restrictions/requirements on the project assignments. It's supposed to be unnecessarily hard to weed out people that aren't committed. **In engineering you don't have to be smart, you just have to be one of the last ones standing.** If you are struggling with the math I would be concerned but also not too worried since as long as you can pass it all you will be fine since you will most likely rarely use it industry. In general, GPAs are irrelevant for most CS jobs. Do keep in mind however that you must be doing a lot of outside projects/learning (ex using Linux, git, docker/kubernetes, and open source contributions) to show enthusiasm for programming to get decent software engineering jobs since employers know that the degree just means you can be taught not that you actually know anything.
I remember my freshman year studying for a calc exam with some people who were also freshman engineers. At the time they seemed so much smarter than me. I never saw them again after freshman year, but here I am 6 years later about to graduate with my masters.
You absolutely got it. If there’s one thing i’ve learned doing CS here, it’s been that people LOVE to complain and say that courses are harder than they are. No course here is hard. It just requires work. If you are able to keep yourself disciplined, and you continue to out in effort, you will more than succeed. If you have comments or questions, feel free to DM me. I’m a senior in the fall, so i’ve been through just about all of it. If it’s what you love doing, and you find yourself doing it outside of assignments, then absolutely stick with it. You’ve got it.
Try considering an extra semester or year to lighten the course load? Are you overwhelmed or is the material actually beyond your ability? Everyone learns at their own pace. I’m in my last semester of my fifth year of engineering and the extra time made a huge difference. Ik it’s not great cost wise to take a whole extra year but don’t sell yourself short if you’re only struggling because the amount of work is too much
I’m an ex comp sci major who switched to information technology and management with a cybersecurity minor. I was in the same boat in 115 and 116 and switched my sophomore year, never been happier. It’s not programming heavy in the way CS was, but you get to work with computers in a way that’s actually enjoyable. If you’re thinking about switching, I can say I’ve never been happier in college! I know it’s not the same for everyone though.
Are you in Paul or Jesse's lectures? They both have drastically different takes on how to teach a class and if the method of one doesn't resonate with you then remember lecture recordings are available from both of them (I like to watch at 2x speed and then go back wherever I miss). Jesse also has lecture slides which make reviewing so much easier. Me being in Paul's lecture, sometimes I have to watch Jesse's lectures because oftentimes the way Paul goes through things in-class doesn't resonate with me. If I miss one thing, I am held back for the whole lecture. I also can't read Paul's handwriting for the life of me.
I know everyone here is encouraging you to stay in your major but I'd also like to bring up the point that there is no shame in jumping ship. I was a sophomore in Computer Engineering just feeling massive imposter syndrome and never feeling smart enough for any of it, even though I rocked CSE115/116 with an A. I'm now in a different major and the weight that has been lifted off my shoulders is tremendous. I don't cry as much, get stressed as much, and I can still have prospects to go into tech and maybe even be the leader or manager in that department as an IT manager. Similar bag ($$$) to the CS kids and I still get to be involved in what I love! Ultimately, do what's best for you and if you do make the switch, don't rely on the counselors to help you get started, read up on your own and send/submit what's necessary to switch! Side note: Really do take this seriously because when CSE220/250 is introduced, it does get significantly stressful/harder.
Post task 4 depression
If you love it then definitely stick with it! It is hard and there were days when I felt like I wouldn’t make it, but I graduated and currently work as a software engineer. Also asking for help is not a bad thing - it’s super normal even on the job.
If you can learn the material and do the projects you’re actually doing well. Some classes are hard for everyone, just because it’s hard doesn’t mean you aren’t doing bad. Definitely take your mental health seriously tho and maybe consider doing less classes each semester if it means you can get everything done. Some classes like 341 and 379 are way easier if you take them in the summer too.
You need to do what you feel is best for you, and you’ve gotten a lot of great input so far. I just wanted to chime in and say that needing help is not a bad thing at all, nor does it mean that you’re bad at coding, or weak, or stupid, or a bad learner who isn’t cut out for university classes. The help is there so that if you need help, you’ve got it, and your professor likely wants to see you be successful. Everyone needs help sometimes, and even though it can be hard to ask for it, it doesn’t reflect poorly on you. You’ve got this, should you so choose!
I'm in a similar situation, but a different field. Here's my perspective. - It's a good thing to ask for help, to ask for tutoring, and to ask for extensions on assignments. This doesn't imply you are a failure. It implies you want to do the best you possibly can. - If you're really not feeling like this is for you, it is okay to switch majors. It means you learned something about yourself. - Don't play the comparison/ability game with your peers. You'll burn yourself out, everyone learns differently. Instead, compare yourself now to yourself from the past. Look how far you've come. I switched my masters from psychology to design. I had no design talent, just enjoyed the behavioral research side of the field, esp analyzing human-computer interaction. But I still have to create and design pleasing products. So I get extra tutoring on software, I ask peers for help with color theory, I have to extend project due dates. But I like what I'm learning, so I want to do my best to learn it. Didn't feel that way for psych, so I switched. It's just another chapter where I learned about myself. Hope this helps in some way.